Last weekend, the Vicksburg High School “Pride” Band represented the City of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg Warren School District with character and determination at the Pearl Invitational Marching Festival.

For the first time in several years, the band received an all-superior rating and qualified for that evening’s state marching championship competition. VHS placed seventh overall with the Ace of Spades percussion line and color guard placing higher in their categories.

As a former Pride member, and now the parent of two Pride students, the leadership of Lee Winters and all the VHS directors merits our community’s enthusiastic acknowledgement, as well as recognition of the phenomenal support rendered by the VHS band boosters, led by Melissa Bufkin.

The directors and students each gave more than 275 hours per person in practice outside of regular school hours to achieve this goal. That equates to more than 38,000 hours of dedication given by these children, their parents and the staff toward the honor of Vicksburg High School.

We ask ourselves, “What does it take to make a marching band go?” With the response, “Pride at every practice and performance.” I believe that VHS has demonstrated again that we are, indeed, proud.

Lauren C. Wilkes

Vicksburg